Fisher gearing up for return to Predators lineup

NASHVILLE – Mike Fisher laughs about how the Ottawa Senators Alumni Game at Parliament Hill on Dec. 15 helped take him from simply watching NHL games to playing in them again.

The outdoor game was the first time Fisher had skated since the Stanley Cup final against the Pittsburgh Penguins last June.

“I almost burned my gear … and then I thought that I better not,” the former Senator said Monday, after another hard workout with the Predators.

“I enjoyed that, it was a great time. They had approached me (about a comeback) before that and it did feel good to get back out there and see a lot of guys I hadn’t seen in a long time.”

Fisher, 37, who has played in 1,088 regular season and 134 playoff games, firmly believed he was done at that point. While he kept tabs with his former Predators teammates and occasionally dropped in to watch practice in the first half of the season, he was content with being a passionate fan. At times, he joked, he found himself watching games and yelling at the referees.

“I didn’t think (returning) was an option for me,” he said. “It took a little more time and the more I really thought about it, the more I just couldn’t say no.”

While it has been suggested that Fisher could return on or around March 1, he says he’s in no rush, wanting to be careful to prevent any injuries.

“Judging by my breathing right now, I will need a few weeks,” he said, panting after the extra skating work. “I will have some conversations with the training staff to see where I’m at. I just want to make sure I’m smart. I’ve been off so long, I just want to make sure the groin and hip flexors are progressing properly and I’m not pushing it.”

Experience is invaluable at playoff time and Fisher is the only Predators player to have played in more than 100 post-season games. Before his retirement, Fisher had served as Predators captain.

“He’s a great player,” said fellow Senator-turned-Predator centre Kyle Turris. “He’s a great playoff player. He’s gritty. He’s tough. He’s strong. He’s a really good leader. He’s going to add a lot to the team.”

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